Turntables for automatic recordchanging phonographs and driving mechanism therefor



April 11, 1961 A. G. RISTAU ET AL 2,979,336

TURNTABLES FOR AUTOMATIC RECORD-CHANGING PHONOGRAPHS AND DRIVINGMECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Aug. 15. 1956 2 Sheet Sheet 1 HTTORNEQ-S'.

Aprll 11, 1961 A. G. RISTAU ETAL 2,979,336

TURNTABLES FOR AUTOMATIC RECORD-CHANGING PHONOGRAPHS AND DRI INGMECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Aug. 15. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hill ll IHII IIII I ll United States Patent TURNTABLES FOR AUTOMATIC RECORD- CHANGINGPHONOGRAPHS AND DRIVING MECHANISM THEREFOR Alfred G. Ristau and ArnoldvE. Ristau, both of i 329 Taylor St., Kaukauna, Wis.

Filed Aug. 15, 1956, Ser. No. 604,239

6 Claims. (Cl. 274) This invention relates to improvements in turntablesfor automatic record-changing phonographs and driving mechanismtherefor.

One type of automatic phonograph utilizes a recordholding wheel which isdisposed in a vertical plane for rotation on a horizontal axis. Thiswheel is provided with radially projecting arms which support records.In most phonographs of this type it is necessary to provide complicatedmechanism. for temporarily removing the record from a turntable arm inorder to play the same, and where a reverse side has been selected, itis necessary to have the record automatically turned before it isplayed. I

It is a general object of the present invention to provide .an improvedarrangement wherein novel turntables smaller than the records to beplayed, are rotatably sup ported by the record-holding wheel, andwherein there is novel driving mechanism independent of therecord-holding wheel which is shiftable into position to drive aselected turntable.

A further object of the invention is toprovide an improved turntableconstruction for apparatus as above described wherein each turntable hasnovel means for releasably locking a record thereto whereby records maybe removed from and replaced on the record-holding wheel with a minimumof clearance between turntables on the wheel. Thus a large capacitymachine with a relatively small record-holding wheel is provided.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device as abovedescribed wherein the records are securely held to the turntables bothwhen a turntable is in upright position, as well as when it is inverted,the said holding being accomplished without utilizing any record-holdingbolts on theturntables. A more specific object of the invention is toprovide simple mechanism for releasably holding a record on a turntablewhich includes the use of locking means projecting radially from theperiphery of the turntable hub, the said means being positioned toengage the outer face of a record, around the margin of itscentralopening-to releasably clamp said record against the turntable.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus as abovedescribed including novel turntables and driving mechanism therefor,which apparatus permits the playing of either side of a record whilethe, turntable is in upright position without removing the record fromthe record-holding wheel, there being novel driving mecha: ni'smseparate from the record-holding wheel which'is shiftableinto-engagement with a selected turntable to drive the latter whileeither side of a record is being played. 1 j

Other objects of the invention are to provide a construction as abovedescribed which is relatively simple and inexpensive, which is foolproofin operation, and which is well adapted for the purpose described.

With the above and other objects in view, the inven tion consists of theimproved turntables for automatic record-changing phonographs anddriving mechanism therefor, and all of its parts and combinations, asset forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating one embodiment of thepreferred form of the invention, in which the same reference numeralsdesignate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view looking principally at theperiphery of a record-holding wheel showing records thereon, one ofwhich is being played;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the same parts looking moreat the front. of the record-holding wheel, some of the records beingremoved and the turntable driving mechanism being in operative position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the turntables, a fragment of a recordbeing shown in position; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates arecord-holding wheel which is mounted for rotation in a vertical planeon a'horizontal axis (not shown). This general type of wheel is wellknown in the art and it is not necessary to describe it in detail. Therecord-holding wheel 10 includes radially outwardly projecting arms 11,each of which carries a spindle 12 at its outer end on which a turntable13 is rotatably mounted, the spindle having a head 14 which holds theturntable in position, even when it is'inverted.

'While the arms 11 project from the periphery of the- Wheel 10 all theway around its circumference, only a few havebeen shown in the drawings.

Each turntable has its main portion provided with a peripheral edge 15'and there is a central hub 16. The

hub 16 illustrated is of a size to fit within the central hole 17 of a45 rpm. record 18. Such record has a sound track 19 which terminatesshort of the periphery 15 of the turntable as at 20. The sound trackon-the underside of each record is similarly located so that theunderside can be completely played while the record is on the turntable,as will be hereinafter described, without interference from theturntable. p

The hub portion 16 of each turntable has a plurality of radial bores 21extending inwardly from the periphery 22 of the hub. 120 apart. Withineach bore is a spring 23 which is normally compressed to urge a ball 24toth'e outward position of Figs. 3 and 4, the outer end of each bore 21being peened over as at 25. so that the diameter of the hole is justless than the diameter of the ball to Y prevent loss of the ball whilepermitting a substantial amount of the ball to project externally., Theconstruction is such that the outer surface of that portion. of the ing.The arrangement is such that when a ball 24 is fully extended, thedistance between 'itslowermost por tion and the face of the turntable isslightly less than the thickness of a recordwThus when .a record is inplace as in Fig. 4, the balls are pushed slightly inwardly from theirfully extended positionand yieldingly and wedgingly exert pressure onthe upper edge of the margin 17 of a' record. The construction is such.that a record is placed on a turntablevby. snappingtit down past theballs 24, the balls yielding inwardly against; the" springs 23 as therecord passes over them'and then be-;

ing urged outwardly to 'yieldingly wedgehthe record against the face ofthe turntableinthe manner shown in Figs. 3 and 4.1 a

With this arrangement it is unnecessary to bolt It is preferred to usethreebores 1 ords in position, as has heretofore been customary.Furthermore, with the present arrangement a large number of radial arms11 may be used with the turntables close together, as shown in Figs. 1and 2. The turntables can be close because of the fact that only a smallamount of clearance is necessary in order to remove a record from orreplace it on a turntable due to the novel snap connection.

Suitably mounted adjacent the periphery of the record holding wheel ishorizontally shiftable turntable driving mechanism 26. This mechanismmay include a horizontal plate 27 suitably mounted for swinging movementin a horizontal plane on the axis of a pin 28 mounted for rotation in abearing 29. Rotatably mounted on the plate 27 and suitably driven fromany source such as a source of rotation beneath the plate and swingabletherewith is a wheel 30 having frictional engagement with the peripheryof another wheel 31 also rotatably mountedon the plate 27. Rigid withthe wheel 31 is a gear 32 which is in constant mesh with a gear 33 alsorotatably mounted on the plate 27. Rigid with the gear 33 is an upwardlyprojecting hub 34 carrying a small friction wheel 35.

The friction wheel 35 is so located in elevation that when the plate 27is swung horizontally into position between records on therecord-holding wheel, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the wheel will drivinglyengage the periphery 15 of whatever turntable is in playing position todrive the latter.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the playing mechanism 36 is of any well knowntype, and includes an upper tone arm 37 and a lowertone arm 38. There isalso ineluded well known mechanism whereby either the upper tone arm maybe caused to play the top side of a record or the lower tone arm to playthe underside.

Operation Summarizing the operation, the record-holding wheel 10 isrotated by any well known means to bring a selected turntable intoplaying position. This rotation takes place while the supporting plate27 for the driving mechanism is swung outwardly so as to be free ofinterferenee with movement of the turntables and records when the wheel10 is selectively rotated. After a selected turntable is in position,the plate 27 is swung into the position of Fig. 2 to drive the selectedturntable. Thereafter the selected tone arm 37 or 38 is swung from theposition of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. l to play whatever side ofthe record the selectedpieee is on.

When the playing of the record has been completed, the tone arms areretracted and the driving mechanism 27 is swung out of the way so thatthe record-holding wheel may be shifted to bring another record intoplaying position.

The wheel 10 and its turntables may be quickly loaded with records bymerely snapping the records into position as shown and heretoforedescribed. Records may be removed and changed just as easily. Due to thenovel snap action it is unnecessary to provide enough clearance for thefinger manipulation or tools between turntables. Therefore, relativelylittle clearance 39 between turntables is required. Thus a large numberof records may be carried on a relatively small wheel 10.

Due to the particular arrangement whereby the records are played withoutbeing removed from the wheel,

complicated record-removing and turning mechanism is eliminated. Thesnap balls hold the records firmly even when the turntables are ininverted position on the other side of the circle from that shown in thedrawing.

The arrangement is also such that a, selected turntable is driven in asimple manner while either side of the record is being played, andeither side may be played wihout in any way changing the position of therecor Various changes and modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes arecontemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What We claim is:

1. In an automatic phonograph having a record shifting wheel disposed ina vertical plane and provided with radially projecting arms, a turntablerotatably supported on each arm near its outer end, each turntablehaving a peripheral edge rotatable to a position beyond the outer end ofthe arm and having means insertable through the central hole of a recordand being of substantially less diameter than the record to be supportedthereon so that there will be a substantial exposed record area on theturntable supported side of the record beyond the periphery of theturntable which is unobstructed, a plate pivoted for swinging movementin a horizontal plane into and out of an inwardly lapping positionbetween records on ad jacent turntables of the wheel, a source ofrotation carried by said swingable plate and having inner and outerpositions both of which are beyond the periphery of records on theturntable, a rotatable driving member rotatably carried by said plateand positioned for movement with a portion of the plate from an externalposition clear of the records to a position between records andoverlapped thereby where said driving member is engageable with saidperiphery of a turntable which is in playing position, and transmissionmeans between said source of rotation and driving member carried by saidplate and swingable therewith.

2. In an automatic phonograph having a record shitting wheel disposed ina vertical plane and provided with radially projecting arms, a turntablerotatably supported on each arm, each turntable having a peripheral edgeand being of substantially less diameter than the record to be supportedthereon so that there will be a substantial exposed record area on theturntable supported side of the record beyond the periphery of theturntable which is unobstructed and said turntable having meansinsertable through the central hole of a record, playing mechanismincluding upper and lower tone arms positioned for engagement with aselected side of a selected record outwardly of the periphery of theturntable, a plate pivoted for swinging movement in a horizontal planeinto and out of an inwardly lapping position between records on adjacentturntables of the wheel, source of rotation carried by said swingableplate and having inner and outer positions both of which are beyond theperipheries of records on the turntable, a rotatable driving memberrotatably carried by said plate and positioned for movement with aportion of the plate from an external position clear of the records to aposition between records where said driving member is engageable withthe periphery of a turntable which is in playing position, transmissionmeans between said source of rotation and driving member carried by saidplate and swingable therewith, said swingable plate and transmissionmeans being positioned clear of the upper and lower tone arms so thateither side of a record may be played without interference.

3. In an automatic phonograph for use with twosided records having aclear circular space within the soundtrack on each side, a shiftableturntable support provided with spaced multiple turntables,.eachturntable having a peripheral edge and being of substantially lessdiameter than the record to be supported thereon so that there will be asubstantial exposed record area on the turntable supported side of therecord beyond the periphery of the turntable which is unobstructed andsaid turntable having means inserta'ole through the central hole of arecord, playing mechanism including upper and lower tone arms positionedfor engagement with a selected side of a selected record outwardly ofthe periphery of the turntable, a plate pivoted for swinging movementinto and out of an inwardly lapping position between records on adjacentturntables, a source of rotation carried by said swingable plate andhaving inner and outer positions both of which are beyond theperipheries of records on the turntable, a rotatable friction wheelrotatably carried by said plate and positioned for movement with aportion of the plate from an external position clear of the records to aposition where it is overlapped by and between records and where saidfriction wheel is engageable with the periphery of a turntable which isin playing position, transmission means between said source of rotationand the friction wheel carried by said plate and swingable therewith,said swingable plate and transmission means being positioned clear ofthe upper and lower tone arms so that either side of a record may beplayed Without interference, said turntables being of less externaldiameter than the smallest diameter of the soundtrack of the records tobe used thereon so as to fit within the circular space within thesoundtrack.

4. In an automatic phonograph having a record shifting wheel disposed ina vertical plane and provided with radially projecting arms, a turntablerotatably supported on each arm nears its outer end, a record on eachturntable, each turntable having a circular driving portion and havingmeans inserted through the central hole of a record so that there willbe a substantial exposed record area on the turntable supported side ofthe record beyond the periphery of the turntable which is unobstructed,each turntable being of substantially less diameter than the diameter ofthe record thereon and driving means pivotally supported for swingingmovement in a direction parallel with the face of a record on saidturntable into and out of operative position overlapping the peripheryof such record in an inward direction and having a rotatable drivingelement positioned for engagement with the circular driving portion ofthe turntable when the driving means is in said operative position.

5. In an automatic phonograph for use with two-sided records having aclear circular space within the sound track, a turntable supporting arm,a turntable rotatably supported on said arm, each turntable having acircular driving portion and having means insertable through the centralhole of a record, playing mechanism including upper and lower tone armssupported for alternative engagement with the upper or lower side of arecord while the latter is in the same position on the turntable,driving means pivotally supported for swinging movement in a directionparallel with the face of a record on said turntable into and out ofoperative position overlapping the periphery of such record in an inwarddirection and having a rotatable driving element rotatably carried bysaid driving means and positioned for movement with a portion of thedriving means from an external position clear of the records to anoverlapped position between records where said driving element ispositioned for engagement with the circular driving portion of theturntable when the driving means is in said operative position, saidswingable driving means being positioned clear of the turntablesupporting arm and clear of the upper and lower tone arms so that eitherside of a record may be played without interference, said turntablebeing of less external diameter than the smallest diameter of the soundtrack of the records to be used thereon so as to fit within the circularspace within the sound track on the underside of the record so as not tointerfere with the playing of the record from beneath by the lower tonearm.

6. In an automatic phonograph for use with two-sided records having aclear circular space within the sound track on each side thereof, ashiftable turntable support provided with spaced multiple turntables,each turntable having a circular driving portion and having meansinsertable through the central hole of a record, playing mechanismincluding upper and lower tone arms positioned for selective engagementwith the upper or lower side of a selected record while the record is inthe same position on the turntable, and driving means pivoted forswinging movement into and out of an inward lapping position betweenrecords on adjacent turntables and having a rotatable driving elementrotatably carried by said pivoted driving means and positioned formovement with a portion of the pivoted driving means from an externalposition clear of the records to a position between records andoverlapped thereby where said driving element is engageable with thecircular driving portion of a turntable which is in playing positionwhen said driving means is swung into operative position to drive saidtumtable, said driving means being positioned clear of the upper andlower tone arms so that either side of a record may be played withoutinterference, said turntables being of less external diameter than thesmallest diameter of the sound track of the records to be used thereonso as to fit within the circular space within the sound track on theunderside of the record and so as not to interfere with the playing ofthe record from beneath by the lower tone arm.

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